Editor’s Note: Today’s blog post is authored by David Quick, a wounded veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and True Patriot Love’s Arctic expedition team leader

This week a team from True Patriot Love, including myself and eleven other wounded soldiers, will set out to ski across Ellesmere Island en route to the Magnetic North Pole. On my back I will be carrying the Google Maps Trekker. History will be made, as this is the furthest north Street View and Google Maps has travelled to date.

Heading to the Magnetic North Pole with the Google Trekker on my back. This is the furthest north Google Maps Street View imagery has been collected.

Aside from collecting spectacular imagery of one of the most remote places on this planet, this expedition is also about raising awareness of the needs of Canadian veterans and their families. During my Afghan tour in 2007, I served as company commander in the Royal Canadian Regiment’s 2nd Battalion. Two months into my tour I was wounded in combat by an improvised explosive device that left me with a traumatic brain injury. Despite these injuries, I continued my command for the duration of my Afghan tour which saw numerous intense combat operations in Zharey district. I am proud of the time I spent in uniform, but I recognize the challenges faced by my fellow veterans.

We will be using the Trekker to collect Street View imagery as we ski across Canada’s high Arctic for the next two weeks and we’ll be tracking our progress here. Our team is made up of soldiers, athletes, business people, moms, dads and friends -- ordinary Canadians who are willing to endure Arctic temperatures and punishing long days on skis to help raise awareness for an important cause. These are the kinds of Canadian values and this is the amazing land that so many of us in uniform proudly ventured into harms way to protect.

Today, I am equally as proud to be both a veteran but also a cartographer of this amazing country. I can’t wait to share the imagery from this extraordinary expedition with Canadians and Google Maps users from around the world.

Posted by David Quick

David Quick is a recipient of Canadian Armed Forces Star of Military Valour for “exceptional courage” and “selfless dedication” during combat operations in Afghanistan.